From July 21 to 25, 2025, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Maritime Department and the Uganda Red Cross Society, held sensitisation workshops on Search and Rescue in Kanungu, Rukungiri, and Kasese districts.
The workshops aimed to enhance coordination and awareness of search and rescue services, a key function of UCAA. These services assist persons in distress following air or water incidents by locating, rescuing, and providing initial medical and humanitarian aid.
Participants included local government officials, representatives from the Uganda Police, security agencies, hospitals, schools, the National Forest Authority, Uganda Prisons, Fisheries Department, media, and other stakeholders.
The workshops were officially opened by the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) of the respective districts: Mr. Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire (Kanungu), Mr. Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe (Deputy RDC, Rukungiri), and Lt. Joe Walusimbi (Kasese). The RDCs thanked UCAA for organizing the sessions and highlighted the importance of community involvement in emergency responses. They encouraged residents to report emergencies through proper channels and urged participants to share the knowledge gained widely.
The district leaders also requested UCAA to hold more workshops to reach a larger number of personnel.
UCAA has previously conducted similar workshops in several districts, including Soroti, Pallisa, Moyo, Kabale, Kisoro, and others, to strengthen national search and rescue capabilities.
